To catch a Falling Star: Pt.II

Star woke with a gasp.

"Are you all right, dear?" Storm asked her quietly. The theater was dark around them, the movie still played on the screen.

"Yes. I just..." she took a deep breath and let it out. "I'm fine. Just didn't know where I was." Storm patted her hand, and they both turned to watch the movie, Star's silver eyes, unseen in the dark theater, quickly faded back to blue.

After the show was over, Jean didn't like the way Star looked and they decided to call it a day. The purr of the engine and the warmth of the January sun shining through the car window quickly combined with Star's fatigue to lull her to sleep.

She woke with a start as the car smoothly took the curve of the highway, allowing the sun to shine in her eyes. She blinked, confused. Jubilee was beside her, chattering happily about which of her new clothes would go with what. Jean was driving while Storm was turned in her seat to listen to Jubilee, directly behind her. Star sat up straight gasping and clutching for Jubilee's arm.

"Jean, stop the car."

"What is it, child?" Storm asked, looking from Jubilee to Star.

"Hey, leggo!" Jubilee began, then she, too, looked at Star. Blazing silver eyes returned her gaze. "Ohmigosh." Jean had begun to brake when the left front tire blew out with a loud bang, yanking the car to the left. Storm was thrown back, but because she had shifted to look at Star, she didn't hit the window. Jean was able to pull the car to the right, just as a semi, horn blaring, roared past them.

Jean and Storm made short work of changing the tire. Star was silent for the rest of the trip and even Jubilee was subdued. When they arrived back at the mansion, Jean went to speak with Beast and the Professor while Storm, Jubilee, and Star unloaded their packages, most of which went to Jubilee's room. Star stayed to help her put away her purchases. As they put the last of the items away, Star was unable to suppress a yawn.

"Star, why don't you go take a nap or something. I mean, jeez, you look beat."

"Okay, Jubilee. I think I will." Star went to her room and lay down. She was too tired to think about what had happened. Soon, she slept, dreamlessly.

Jubilee sat cross legged on the couch, eating popcorn and watching a late afternoon talk show.

"...and when we return we'll speak to Mutants and their Human Lovers!"

"Some people'll do anythin' fer money."

"Hiya, Wolvie. Want some popcorn?"

"Sure, kid." He sat next to her on the couch and took a handful of popcorn from the bowl she offered him.

"Why do ya watch this trash, darlin'?"

"I dunno. It's not as depressing as the news, I guess." They watched the program in companionable silence until it was over. When the news came on Jubilee reached for the remote control.

"Leave it, darlin'. Might be somethin' we need to know." With a sigh, she put the remote down.

"Sheesh. If there's anything we need to know," she muttered, "the Prof'll tell us."

"Ya gotta learn ta think fer yerself, kid. Chuck ain't always here, an' ya never know which pieces'll fit together and give ya the jump on the bad guys."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever," she grumbled, but she stayed and watched the news with him.

"You gals have fun today?" he asked when the news was over.

"Yeah. I got some way cool stuff, but we almost got creamed comin' home." She didn't notice the sharp look he cast her. "Ya know, its funny. We mix it up with some pretty heavy dudes all the time and we nearly get taken out by a truck."

"What happened?"

"Huh? Oh. We had a blow out. It was weird, though. Star was snoozin' one second, the next she's tellin' Jean ta stop the car. Jean was slowin' down when the tire blew out, so she was able ta stop the car okay. I'd a sworn Star's eyes were silver for a second, but when we stopped, they were blue." She shrugged, "No biggie. The truck missed, an' here we are! Safe and sound."

"Where's Star?"

"Catchin' some z's. We probably shouldn't have stayed at the mall so long, but she seemed to be havin' a good time."

"Thanks, darlin'. I think I'll go check on her."

"Wolvie?"

"Yeah?"

"You think she'll get her powers back?"

"I don't know. We'll just have ta wait an' see."

Wolverine tapped quietly on Star's door. It swung inward at the pressure and he peered in. She lay on her side on the bed, her hands folded together under her cheek. He watched her sleep for a moment and was reaching for the door to close it when she opened her eyes. They were as blue as his own.

"Logan," she said without changing position. He moved to the side of the bed.

"How ya feelin'?"

"Tired," she answered, reaching for his hand.

"Hank told ya ta take it easy."

"I know. But this was important." She sat up, stiffly.

"You and Jubilee work things out?"

"I think so." He sat next to her and put his arm around her. She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his neck. "She loves you too, Logan. You are her friend, her protector, her mentor. She doesn't want to lose you." She sighed and he stroked her hair. "If my powers are gone, what can I do to stay here? I won't take you away from your friends, from your life here, but how can I remain?"

"First, tell me what happened this afternoon." She sat up and shrugged.

"I dreamed that the car was hit by a truck and Jubilee and Storm were ... killed. But I woke up and we were still in the movie. Then later, on the way home, we were suddenly in the middle of my dream and I asked Jean to stop. She slowed down and something happened to the tire and the truck almost hit us. But it didn't. And no one died." She shuddered.

"You have any other dreams like that?"

"I'm ... not sure. I don't really remember."

"You have one, be sure an' tell me, or Jean, ya hear?"

"All right, Logan." They both looked up as they heard footsteps approaching the open door. It was Jean.

"Star, if you're feeling up to it, the Professor would like to speak with you." Wolverine felt Star stiffen in his arms, but released her when she moved to rise. Jean frowned as Star stepped past her into the hall.

"What's Chuck want with the kid?" Wolverine asked when Star had gone.

"He believes that her powers have begun to return, though perhaps in a different form than before." Jean looked troubled. "Her shields have returned, whether she knows it or not. When I mentioned the Professor, she put them up, but not before I felt her fear." She turned to Wolverine, "She's terrified of something, but I don't know what."

Star hesitantly knocked on the door to Professor Xavier's study.

"Come in, Star." She opened the door and went in, leaving it open behind her. "Have a seat, dear." He noted the open door, and knew he could not proceed as rapidly as he had hoped.

"Jean tells me that you helped to avert a disastrous accident today." She just looked at him from where she was seated on the edge of her chair, looking as if she might flee at any moment. "Star, both Storm and Jubilee mentioned that your eyes were silver when you warned Jean to stop the car." He waited, but she didn't respond. He sighed.

"Were you aware that your shields have returned?" She looked up at him, startled. "Yes, indeed." He smiled at her. "They seem to be as strong as every. Do you wish me to test them?" Without moving, she gave him the impression that she had flinched.

"Is it necessary?" her blue eyes were wide.

"Not at this time, no."

"Then, no. I do not wish to be tested."

"All right," he paused, "can you tell me what happened today?"

"I dreamed," she said simply, "and then it happened."

"Exactly the way you dreamed?"

"No. In my dream, the truck hit us."

"I see. So you acted to prevent the collision?"

"I ... suppose."

"It is called precognition, dear. It can be a very useful gift. Later, when you are stronger, you will need to explore your new power." She nodded, wordlessly, then got up to leave.

"Star," he began and she turned back, watching him warily, motionless as ever. "My X-Men are precious to me and by acting as you did, you saved four of them from injury, possibly from death. Thank you." She nodded once more and moved to the door. As she was closing it behind her, it struck her that he'd said four, not three. He considered her to be one of them. Part of the fear, the aloneness she had felt drained away from her. Perhaps there could be a place for her after all.

She returned to her room, but Jean and Wolverine had gone. She was vaguely disappointed, but was still too tired to go looking for them in the vast house. She lay down, more at ease than she had been since she had awakened, once more, in the med lab several days before. As sleep overcame her, she wondered how long it would be before she would be able to make it through a whole day without requiring a nap. She sighed in her sleep.

"Ahhh!" Storm cried as the wall collapsed, burying her in the rubble.

"Storm!" Jubilee's voice was frantic. "Gambit, help me!"

"On my way, petite!" He spun, taking out an opponent with a lightning fast kick. He snatched a piece of broken brick from the floor and, charging it quickly, hurled it at their enemy. Jubilee shifted the bricks as fast as she could, anxious to dig Storm out. An entangling net dropped about her, knocking her to her knees. Gambit reached for her only to fall back under a hail of bullets. Jubilee screamed and twisted in the net to face this new threat. The muzzle of a large caliber automatic weapon touched her forehead.

"Don't even blink, mutant." She froze, too tangled in the net to be sure of her aim.

"This one's finished, Mike," another man said, standing over Gambit.

"Damn," muttered the man with the gun, glaring at Jubilee.

"The one under the bricks might still be alive."

"No time. The others'll catch up any second." He shoved the muzzle hard into Jubilee's forehead. "Where's the berserker?" he demanded.

"Huh?"

"The guy with the built in hardware. Where is he?"

"He...uh...he was right behind us! He'll be here any second, and boy are you guys gonna be sorry!" He looked at her for a long moment.

"You're lying," he decided and, reversing his weapon, he knocked her out. "Bring the girl and let's get out of here. We'll get the others next time." One of the men lifted Jubilee's motionless figure to his shoulder and they hurried down the darkened corridor. When they rounded a corner, their leader stopped and triggered an explosion that sealed the tunnel behind them.

Rogue zipped into the dust filled corridor and pulled up just short of the demolished section. She saw Gambit, partially buried under the rubble.

"Remy!" she shouted as she rushed to his aid. Jean, Cyclops, and Beast entered the chamber behind her.

"Any sign of Storm or Jubilee?" Cyclops asked as they moved to help free Gambit.

"Storm is nearby, but I can not find Jubilee," Jean answered. Beast straightened slowly and looked at Rogue, silently confirming her worst fears. Gambit was dead. Mute with shock and grief, she gathered the limp form of the tall Cajun into her arms and, crouching in the rubble, she began to weep. The others turned to the pile of bricks, and began to dig to free Storm.

The X-Men seemed to be completely unaware of Star, and she was unable to help them. She struggled to move forward, to help them, but she could not. Suddenly, someone behind her took her by the arm. She spun, striking to defend herself.

"Whoa! Easy, darlin'! It's just me!" Wolverine said as he easily deflected Star's frantic attack. He caught both her wrists and held her. Her eyes, like pools of mercury, bored into his.

"It's a trap, Logan! You have to go with them! Help them! You have to!"

"What's a trap, girl? Go with who?"

"I...I...I don't know." She slumped forward and he put his arms around her, supporting her. She looked up at him and her eyes were as blue as the sky.

"I hate this! I hate it!" she sobbed. He held her tightly and could feel the rapid beat of her heart against his chest.

"Maybe the Professor can..." she shook her head.

"No. Please," she almost whispered.

"You afraid of him, darlin'?" she nodded, silently. "He ain't gonna hurt ya." She looked up at him, suddenly angry.

"Where have I heard that before?" She turned, pulling away from him. "No. I don't want him in my head."

"All right, girl. Ain't nobody gonna make ya do somethin' ya don't want ta do." He paused, "Maybe Jean can help." After a long moment she nodded. "Ya feel up to it now?" Reluctantly, she nodded again.

"Jeanne, ya got a minute?"

"Of course. Is anything wrong?"

"No. Star had a dream an' she's havin' a little trouble rememberin' it."

"Perhaps Charles should..."

"She'd rather you gave it a shot." Jean glanced at Star, standing motionless and expressionless just outside the door to the library.

"All right." She gestured at one of the comfortable chairs scattered about the room, "Have a seat, dear." Star moved into the room and sat down. Jean pulled a second chair close while Wolverine stayed by the door. "You believe this dream to be a manifestation of your powers?" Star nodded. "Do you remember anything about it?"

"Not much."

"Just relax and I will try to help you remember." The two women faced each other silently. Wolverine was struck by how similar they were to one another. Though Jean was a statuesque red-head and Star a diminutive brunette, they had the same proud bearing. He loved them both, but only Star seemed willing to return his feelings.

"Star, you have to let me in. Lower your shields, dear." Star straightened, lifting her head slightly. Jean took the smaller woman's hand in her own and both shuddered. Wolverine moved forward involuntarily, but Jean stopped him.

"No, Logan. It's all right. Star, show me what you remember."

Star stood before Jean in a dark space, a hallway or tunnel. Jean was behind her, looking over her shoulder. She saw Storm, followed by Gambit and Jubilee, moving quickly down the hall. An explosion ripped through the wall as a dozen trap doors opened all around them, exposing the men that had been waiting for them. They wore uniforms, but they were blurred to her sight.

"Ahhh!" Storm cried as the wall collapsed, burying her in the rubble.

"Storm!" Jubilee's voice was frantic. "Gambit, help me!"

"On my way, petite!" He spun, taking out an opponent with a lightning fast kick. He snatched a piece of broken brick from the floor and, charging it quickly, hurled it at their enemy. Jubilee shifted the bricks as fast as she could, anxious to dig Storm out. An entangling net dropped about her, knocking her to her knees. Gambit reached for her only to fall back under a hail of bullets. Jubilee screamed and twisted in the net to face this new threat. The muzzle of a large caliber automatic weapon touched her forehead.

"Don't even blink, mutant." She froze, too tangled in the net to be sure of her aim.

Jean tried to move forward, past Star, but the smaller woman grasped her arm with surprising strength.

"I'm not even here. I can't help." Jean forced herself to remember that she and Star were sharing a vision. A memory of things yet to be. It was difficult because it seemed so real. She could smell the dust from the collapsed wall, the acrid odor of the gunpowder, the sharp smell of blood.

"This one's finished, Mike," another man said, standing over Gambit.

"Damn," muttered the man with the gun, glaring at Jubilee.

"The one under the bricks might still be alive."

"No time. The others'll catch up any second." He shoved the muzzle hard into Jubilee's forehead. "Where's the berserker?" he demanded.

"Huh?"

"The guy with the built in hardware. Where is he?"

"He...uh...he was right behind us! He'll be here any second, and boy are you guys gonna be sorry!" He looked at her for a long moment.

"You're lying," he decided and, reversing his weapon, he knocked her out. "Bring the girl and let's get out of here. We'll get the others next time." One of the men lifted Jubilee's motionless figure to his shoulder and they hurried down the darkened corridor. When they rounded a corner, their leader stopped and triggered an explosion that sealed the tunnel behind them.

"He's right." Star said suddenly. "Wolverine is not here. Why isn't he here?" Jean didn't answer, watching silently as the memory continued to unfold.

Jean found it odd to watch herself do something she knew had not yet come to pass. She hoped that with the foreknowledge Star was providing, it never would.

"Any sign of Storm or Jubilee?" Cyclops asked as they moved to help free Gambit.

"Storm is nearby, but I can not find Jubilee," Jean answered. Beast straightened slowly and looked at Rogue, silently confirming her worst fears. Gambit was dead. Mute with shock and grief, she gathered the limp form of the tall Cajun into her arms and, crouching in the rubble, she began to weep. The others turned to the pile of bricks, and began to dig to free Storm.

The scene faded away as Star turned suddenly to face Jean.

"That's all of it." Jean nodded and started to withdraw, but Star reached out, quick as a cat, and caught her wrist.

"Why, Jean? Why don't you love him?"

"What?"

"He loves you. He loves you so much. And it kills him to watch you with Scott. Why don't you love Logan?"

"I don't know, Star." Jean answered after a long pause. "He is a special man, and I care for him very much, but I love Scott." She took Star's other hand in her own. "He loves you, Star. And I'm very happy for you both."

"Does he?" Star asked, her eyes unhappy. "Or does he just feel sorry for me? Responsible since he let me live? Or do I just remind him of you?"

"I don't think so. He's not much one to hide his feelings. He was ready to die rather than live without you," she reminded her. Jean wasn't sure Star was convinced, but she really couldn't help. Star and Wolverine would have to work this out between them.

Star released her as suddenly as she'd caught her wrist and both women withdrew.

Jean turned to Wolverine, while Star looked only at her hands.

"She remembers an ambush that hasn't happened yet. For some reason, you are not present."

"D'ya know who they are?"

"No. I did not recognize them, but they are not mutants."

"Great." As Jean described Star's dream, she unconsciously rubbed her wrist which ached from Star's astral grip.

"Whoever they are, we can handle 'em."

"With the forewarning Star has provided, I believe that we can."

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